Barnet practice welcomes ABDO president
From left: Kevin Gutsell, Sabirah Peara, Pragna Raghwani, Carina Hummel and Alistair Bridge
ABDO president, Kevin Gutsell, and Carina Hummel, managing director, optics at Specsavers, have visited Specsavers Barnet in North London to recognise the vital role dispensing opticians play in local communities.
The visit forms part of ABDO’s year-long centenary programme, which is celebrating 100 years of the dispensing optics profession. It is shining a light on the invaluable contribution dispensing opticians make across community practice, education and clinical care.
During the visit, Kevin and Carina spent time with the Specsavers Barnet team, led by practice partners Pragna Raghwani, dispensing optician and contact lens optician, and Sabirah Peara, optometrist.
Practice partner, Pragna Raghwani, a dispensing optician and contact lens optician
They also met with colleagues to hear firsthand about the care being delivered to patients and the role the practice plays within the local community.
ABDO’s chief executive, Alistair Bridge, and communications and engagement director, Gavin Berkerey, also attended the visit, which forms part of ABDO’s ambition to connect directly with practices and members across the country during its centenary year.
Kevin said: “The 100th anniversary is about celebrating dispensing opticians and the critical role they play in primary eyecare. Visiting practices like Specsavers Barnet brings that to life.
“The professionalism, clinical expertise and patient focused approach shown by Pragna, Sabirah and their team exemplify the very best of our profession, and it is a pleasure to recognise that as part of our centenary celebrations.”
Carina added: “Having started my own career as a trainee dispensing optician more than 25 years ago, I know just how fundamental the profession is to patient care, clinical outcomes and the success of community practices.
“Visiting Specsavers Barnet during ABDO’s centenary year has been a brilliant opportunity to see that expertise in action and to celebrate the outstanding work Pragna, Sabirah and their team do every day.”
Centenary celebrations in the spotlight
She continued: “At Specsavers, we are committed to supporting dispensing opticians clinically and professionally, while also widening access to the profession through initiatives such as our dispensing optician apprenticeship. Ensuring people from all backgrounds can build rewarding careers in optics is essential for the future of eyecare.”
Pragna commented: “We were delighted to welcome Kevin, Carina, Alistair and Gavin to our practice. It means a great deal to have the role of dispensing opticians recognised in this way, particularly during the 100th anniversary year. Our whole team is proud of the care we provide to our patients and the community we serve.”
ABDO’s centenary celebrations will continue throughout the year with practice visits, events and activities designed to honour the past, celebrate the present and inspire the future of the dispensing optics profession.